Students in Kent are twice as likely to be awarded a first-class degree than when tuition fees were controversially hiked, new figures reveal.

Research into grade inflation shows universities in the city are handing out a much higher percentage of top honours than in 2010.

A report from London-based thinktank Reform suggests the figures risk making degree classifications "meaningless".

Across the county's three universities, 915 of the 7,115 undergraduates in 2010 were awarded a first-class degree, equating to 12.9%.

Last year this number jumped to 24.2%, with 2,035 out of 8,400 earning top grades.

The report - based on data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency - says there is evidence to support the idea that degree algorithms, which translate marks into a final classification, are contributing to the issue.

This has also been linked to a rise in tuition fees, which were tripled to £9,000 a year by the government in 2010.

However, universities have argued that they are awarding more top grades because students are working harder, with better teaching and materials.

Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, Nick Hillman, said: "Ultimately, grade inflation helps no one except where it really is a reflection of much better teaching and learning.

"It ends up confusing employers and others about the value of each grade of degree.

"Universities compete fiercely against one another and are regularly ranked in league tables that take degree classifications into account, so we need a sector-wide solution."

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the Office for Students (OfS), said: "It is important that degrees hold their value over time, and if there is artificial grade inflation this is not in the interests of students, employers or the higher education sector."

The proportion of graduates awarded first-class degrees at the University of the Creative Arts in Canterbury almost trebled from 10.4% in 2010 to 29.5% last year.

A spokesperson said: "As a specialist university, UCA prides itself on producing high-calibre graduates fit for working in the thriving creative industries.

"We have made a number of improvements in our learning and teaching environments, which continue to have a positive impact on our students’ education and achievements."

At UKC, the proportion jumped from 14% to 25.5% over the same period.

"The University of Kent operates rigorous quality assurance procedures in line with the requirements of the UK Quality Code in order to safeguard the academic standards of its awards," said a spokesman.

"The standards of all of Kent’s degrees are benchmarked against the criteria set out in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications for England (FHEQ).

"Independent external examiners affirm annually that the standards achieved by students studying for these degrees are at the appropriate level both in terms of the standard achieved by students at other universities and with respect to the expectations of the FHEQ.

"Ultimately, grade inflation helps no one... it ends up confusing employers and others about the value of each grade of degree" - Nick Hillman

"In 2015 the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) reviewed the University’s quality assurance processes for setting and maintaining academic standards and confirmed that these operate effectively and meet UK expectations.

"Furthermore, in 2017 the University was judged by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) under the requirements of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) to be teaching at the highest possible levels and achieved a Gold standard award.

"The University also continues to score highly in numerous league tables for graduate employment prospects showing that Kent graduates remain highly successful in the graduate employment market."

At Canterbury Christ Church University 12.5% of graduates walked away with a first-class degree in 2010, compared to 20.4% in 2017.

A spokesman for the university said: "Christ Church has a rigorous and consistent framework for awarding degrees.

"We only award degrees after thorough scrutiny by a board of examiners, which always includes external examiners from across the sector."